gest lump of gold that had ever been discovered.

"When I reached the opening of the shaft I found many hundred people
present, and fresh arrivals were joining the crowd every moment. I
organized a force, and drove the excited throng from the opening of the
mine, for I feared that the chambers which had been excavated would not
stand the pressure, and that those above and below would be buried
alive.

"After I had succeeded in my efforts, we set to work and raised the
mighty nugget to the surface, but instead of its weighing two or three
hundred pounds, it weighed one hundred and ten. But it was a splendid
lump of gold, almost entirely free from quartz and dirt, and of rare
fineness and purity.. The finders were overjoyed, as well they might be,
and guarded their treasure with great care until they saw it safe in the
custody of the government agent. A gentleman from Melbourne, who was on
a visit to the mines for the purpose of collecting rare specimens of
gold, offered the lucky finders four thousand pounds for the nugget, but
they got an idea into their heads that it was worth more, and declined."

"And was that the largest nugget ever found?" I asked.

"As far as my knowledge is concerned. At the other mines I have heard
that immense pieces have been found, but I consider the rumor as
exaggerated."

"You would be greatly surprised if we should happen to discover a piece
worth as much," I remarked.

"I think I should," answered the inspector, dryly, slowly filling his
pipe, and apparently dilating on the subject mentally.

"Well, we will not pledge ourselves to make such a strike as the one you
have related, but we will guarantee to get more gold than two thirds of
the miners at Ballarat," Fred said, confidently.

The inspector shook his head.

"You don't know the kind of work that you will have to undertake," he
said. "In the first place, you have got either to buy a claim, or begin
digging at some spot where no one would think, unless a new arrival
looking for gold. All the dirt that you wanted to work out would have to
be carried to the water, and you can see that our lakes and rivers are
not very extensive.

"We will imagine that you have resolved to commence operations, and that
a suitable spot has been selected. After a day's digging, you will find,
that to prevent the earth from caving in and burying you up, timber is
wanting. You make application, and find that to buy staves and planks
will cost you